Pump Head - cognitive deficits after bypass surgery
A recent study suggests that mental deterioration after heart surgery is both more common and more persistent than previously realized.

Post-operative depression
Post-open heart (and post heart attack) depression is prevalent, and dangerous if untreated. Unfortunately, it is likely to be confused with "pump head," and missed.

Is your hospital CABG-safe?
How state regulations help determine the death rate after bypass surgery

Heart Surgery Forum
An attractive site giving overviews of several types of cardiac surgery

Pre-op Guide
A free, on-line book written by a surgeon telling patients headed for surgery what they need to know.

Vascular surgery
An extensive review of surgery for peripheral vascular disease

Heart surgery
Everything you might want to know, from the Yale Medical School Heart Book, a book aimed at a general audience. Very comprehensive. An excellent resource. Requires Adobe Acrobat. Note: this is a BIG article.

CTSnet - Website for cardiac surgeons
This site has resources mainly aimed at surgeons, but consumers will also find much of interest here.

What to expect after cardiac surgery
An excellent review. Lists common symptoms, and gives advice as to when to become concerned about post-operative problems.

What are the surgical options for coronary artery disease?
A good review of all the surgical options, including a minimally invasive surgery.

A heart valve tutorial
An excellent review of artificial heart valves. Good graphics.

The physiology of heart valves
A very good review of the structure and function of heart valves. Includes an (optional) depiction of a pig heart dissection. (Pig hearts are very similar to human hearts.)

Recent trends in valvular heart surgery
From NYU, discussions of new trends in heart valve surgery. Aimed at professionals, but will be of interest to affected patients.

The heart-lung machine
A description of the machine that makes open heart surgery possible

Post-Pump Syndrome
A discussion of this catastrophic lung condition associated with open heart surgery